Gala Life August 2023

Gala Life

A local magazine with directory of trades and businesses - 12,000 copies delivered FREE to every home and business in Galashiels, Tweedbank, Melrose, Clovenfords, Darnick, Dingleton, Newstead and Gattonside.

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Lynsey - 07305577953

Editor

Willie - 07906375953

Your Community

All the news from our MPs, Councillors, Clubs, Groups and Churches.

Willie's Wonky Computer

Willie looks at the recent iSpoof website scandal and the operation to bring it down.

Fitness With Alan Clinch

Alan looks at all the reasons we need vigorous exercise!

Recipe

This month we have three of the best ice-cream sauces, ever!

The Royal Visit

The King and Queen visit The Tapestry Centre in Gala. We were there!

Sudoku

Our Sudoku is also online this month, play every day and keep your brain active!

WELCOME

The Gala Garden

Sheila is way ahead of you and looks at planting bulbs for next year!

School Term Times

We have all the term times for 2023/4, so you can plan ahead for holidays.

Gala Rugby Club

All the latest news, gossip and results from the boys in maroon.

Walk Yourself Happy Part 3!

If you've enjoyed our walking features, let's take it farther - head for the hills!

Gala Cricket Club

All the latest news from our increasingly popular cricket club.

Welcome to the August edition of Gala Life. August typically means the last few weeks of the summer school holidays so it is great to see the town really busy again and good weather makes life that bit happier! We enjoyed a special visit by their Majesties in July and the town looked glorious!

August sees lots of events in the region including the very special Maroon’d Festival and other LIVE music including Roxburgh Rocks, MacArts and coming shortly the Kelso Folk Festival.

In our regular columns we look at why vigorous exercise is needed with Alan in the fitness column, and Willie in the computer pages looks at the recent iSpoof scandal. As this is the garden’s peak, it’s time to think about next year and get ready for planting bulbs. This comes round earlier every year I’m sure! If you have time to kick back we have the old favourite sudoko. Give it a go - you may be surprised!

We are assuming we will get some more good weather and have a recipe to go with your ice creams. We also have updates form Gala Cricket Club and the new season fixtures for Gala Rugby. No rest for our sports people. Lastly we have Part 3 of our walking features.

With so much to do this summer it’s a good job it’s the holidays. Enjoy and see you next time.

The Gala Garden

Our Gala Life Community

Please check with individual groups for the latest information.

Bereavement Support Group (BSG) - Meet every Monday 10am – 12 noon at Quins Restaurant. Get mutual support from people in the same situation. Friendly, understanding and very confidential group.

Borders Recovery Group - Meet Fridays at the Focus Centre. Peer support group 3-5pm, Recovery Cafe 5-7pm. For more info contact community@bordersinrecovery.org or 07536455898. www.bordersinrecovery.org

Memory Lane Music - We meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at MacArts in Galashiels from 2pm to 3.30pm. It is a singing group for people living with dementia and their family and friends. It uses the joy of singing together as a way of improving wellbeing and supporting people to build lasting friendships.

Café Connect - We meet in the restaurant at Borders College, on the ground floor of the Galashiels campus, from 10.30am until 12.00noon. There is a small cost for tea/coffee and scones (£1.00 each). A dementia advisor is available for information. This café is for anyone affected by dementia and provides a blether and friendship.

Al-Anon Family Groups - Every Wednesday at 7.30pm, Chaplaincy Centre at the Border General Hospital. Access is through the main entrance to the hospital and follow the pink zone on the ground floor until you see the sign for the Chaplaincy Centre. Many people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone close to them. Find understanding, help and support in Al-Anon Family Groups. For further information call 07709948205 or visit www.al-anonuk.org.uk for meetings in Selkirk and Hawick.

Scottish Borders Versus Arthritis Support Group - meets online first Saturday of each month from 11am until 12.30pm. With a variety of interesting speakers and coffee and catch-up sessions, anyone who is living with arthritis or has an interest is very welcome. For more information, please, email info@scottishbordersversusarthritis.org

Parkinson's Support Group - held on the last Monday of every month at the Chaplaincy Centre at the B.G.H. from 2pm to 4pm. The aim of the group is to offer support and company to anybody including families and carers who are affected by Parkinsons. We take part in outings quizzes and other activities suggested by the participants, and a cuppa and biscuits provided. If you require any more information or just want a chat please call Fran on 07790 750 115.

‘Heart for Art’ - Trinity Church Hall, High St, Galashiels every Wednesday afternoon, 1.30pm to 3.30pm. This is a Church of Scotland project which seeks to bring creativity and connection to those living with dementia in Scotland. Come along to our free art classes (with a carer if you wish) where staff of experienced professional artists and volunteers have enhanced dementia training. For more information look on facebook @CrossReachHeartForArt or email: heartfor.art@crossreach.org.uk

Gala Waterways Group - The Group usually meets at 10.00am until noon on the first Saturday of each month and typically prunes trees, clears undergrowth and removes rubbish along the Gala Water and Mill Lade in Galashiels. For more information contact galawaterways@gmail.com or 07763 850087. www.facebook.com/galawg/

Gala Policies Group - Always looking for new volunteers to join us in our litter picking efforts in the Policies. Monthly litter pick is held on last Saturday of each month (Feb to Nov) - meeting 10am at the small car park by the swimming pool. Bags and pickers provided - own gloves are recommended. We're on Facebook so join us, please, as we're determined to make sure this lovely woodland is preserved as a great 'green' town asset.

Continued on page 10

Gala Squash and Racketball Club - Monday night 7pm - late: Club Night at Gala Squash Club, turn up and have a hit. £2 for members and £4 for Non-Members. Every Thursday 7pm-8.30pm is Ladies Night at Gala Squash Club - Turn up and have a hit about and a laugh, all ladies welcome.

Gala Windbags - We are a charitable group affiliated to chest heart and stroke Scotland with meetings every Thursday 1.30 to 3.30pm in Lucy Sanderson Hall Galashiels. Contact details are Hazel Crombie phone 01896 753788.

Gentle Exercise Class for Older Adults - Langlee Community Centre - £3 per class. 10.30-11.15am every Wednesday - contact 07713357450 to book.

Langlee Badminton Club - Thursdays, 5.15pm-7pm in the main hall at Langlee Community Centre, Marigold Drive, Galashiels, £2 per session. Under-16s must be accompanied by parent/ guardian. We're a friendly group who get together once a week to play badminton, all year round. Beginners welcome, racquets and shuttles provided. Call Kevin Janiak on 07825 269667 for more information.

Eildon Ramblers - If you enjoy walking you’ll enjoy walking with the Eildon Ramblers. We meet weekly on either a Saturday or a Sunday at 10.00am at various locations in the Borders. To see details of upcoming walks visit www.eildonramblers.org.uk or for general information please email eildon.ramblers@gmail.com or phone 07877 159126. Our motto is friendship, fitness, fun and fresh air.

Scottish Borders Hill Walking Club - We enjoy walks of between 10 and 15 miles in the hills throughout the Borders. The club meets on alternate Sundays throughout the year starting at 10.00 am. For further information please visit www.borderhillwalkers.wordpress.com or phone 01896 823172

Red Gauntlet Archers - Now that Red Gauntlet are back in Elibank we would like to invite any ex member to come along to the club any sunday for a free refresher session, with the chance of rejoining the club... or they could think about selling their equipment to some of the new members we have. Anybody interested please phone in to book a place. Jim Stillie 01750 20660.

Reiver Petanque - meets at the playing area near The Waterwheel Tea Room, Philiphaugh, Selkirk, TD7 5LU for regular Club days on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons 1pm-4pm (2pm start in summer months). At other times the area is open to anyone to play with their own equipment unless notices on Facebook or on the noticeboard at the piste state otherwise. There will be occasional league and other matches between other clubs throughout the year. Please contact Peter on 07895 275669 or Ron on 07986 644661 for more information and come along, learn about the sport from established players and have fun. The area is accessible for wheelchair users and the sport is suitable for all ages.

One Acchord Ladies A Cappella Chorus - Ladies, if you want to sing, please come and meet us at Bowden Village Hall, Main Street, Bowden, TD6 0SS. Learn to sing in 4 Part Harmony, no auditions needed. We welcome everyone who wants to join us. Rehearsal times: 3 Wednesdays 7:30-9:30pm and 1 Saturday 2-5pm a month. Phone 07710699619 or visit our website www. oneacchord.co.uk

The Eildon Singers - The Eildon Singers are a mixed voice choir of some 45 members from all over the central Borders. We sing mainly classical works, with some lighter pieces. Our rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings in the Corn Exchange, Market Square, Melrose, from 7.15 to 9.00 pm, but we are currently having a break for the summer. We will start up again on Wednesday 30th August, when new members will be very welcome (no auditions). If you would like more information, please contact our secretary, Margery Inglis, on 01750 21085 or visit our website: www.eildonsingers.info

Continued on page 12

Gala Water Singers - We meet on Tuesdays in Station House, Stow at 7pm, everyone welcome. Pipe Band - The Galashiels Ex-Service Pipe Band, Wednesday nights, 7pm at The Royal British Legion Club, Park Street, Galashiels. Experienced players and beginners most welcome to join. Please contact the secretary, Scott Mitchell on galafirefox@gmail.com

The Galashiels Town Band - Mondays - Gala Beginners Band 5.00 - 5.45pm, Tuesdays - Gala Youth Band 6.00 - 7.00pm, Gala Senior Town Band 7.00 - 8.45pm. These take place at the Galashiels Town Band Hall, 6a Roxburgh Street, Galashiels. Open to experienced, inexperienced and beginners of all ages. Instruments can be supplied, so go give it a try. For more information please contact info@galatownband.org.uk or by calling Nichola Broatch on 07856266230

Syrinx Flutes - Meet one Monday evening (7pm to 9pm) a month from September to May in the Corn Exchange at Melrose with leader Tracy Short (07891902239) Email: tshortmusic@yahoo. co.uk. Or try elizabethraitt@icloud.com in the first instance. All abilities and ages from approx Grade 3. Why not dust off your underused flute and join our friendly group? It’s such fun playing with others.

Melrose Music Society - presents a recital by one of the finest classical guitar players in the world, Ian Watt, on Sunday, 6th August at 3pm in Melrose Parish Church Hall. Ian will play pieces by Dowland, Bach, Tárrega, De Falla, Jose and – to celebrate his 75th birthday - Edward McGuire. Adults £16, members £10, students £5, accompanied children free; tickets available at www.ticketebo.co.uk/melrose-music-society or on the door.

Galashiels Studio Club - The Club is for artists and people who enjoy art. We meet weekly over the winter in Old Gala House, on Thursdays at 7.30pm for about 2 hours and have a varied programme of talks or demonstrations by professional artists and workshops some led by club members. For more information see our Facebook site or phone 07958 241798. The Club is open to all levels of artists and new members and visitors are welcome.

Dance Class - Circle Dancing is suitable for just about everyone. We use simple steps dancing to music from around the world. A mix of gentle, flowing, fun, upbeat. No previous experience necessary. A great way to exercise and meet new friends in a relaxed friendly group. Every Tuesday 2-4pm at The Focus Centre, Livingstone Place, Galashiels TD1 1DQ. £5. Contact Kate for further information 07523 466657

Scottish Country Dancing - Old & St Paul's Church Hall Tuesdays 7-9pm. All welcome. Contacts 01896822354 or 01578730591.

Gala Chess Club - meeting every Tuesday evening at the Focus Centre, Galashiels between 7.00pm and 9.00pm. All levels welcome. Facebook - gala chess club.

Borders Family History Society - We are currently open during the summer months on Saturdays from 10 am till 4 pm. You will find us at 52 Overhaugh Street, Galashiels; telephone 01896 750387 or email info@bordersfhs.org.uk/research@bordersfhs.org.uk If you would like to come along and find your ancestors please do, we would love to help you.

Melrose Historical & Archaeological Association - Old Melrose Walk. Tuesday 1st August 2023.

Starting from the Old Melrose Tearoom, off the A68, at 1:30pm. A guided walk through 2000 years of history, including the site of the monastery where St.Cuthbert began his religious life. Adults £4, children free. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times.

The Trimontium Museum, Melrose - Guided Walks: Enjoy an outing of stunning views, history, and heritage, on the footsteps of the Romans to the Trimontium Fort Site with our fabulous guides: Thursdays and Saturdays, 1:30 pm. Museum craft activities daily during summer holidays, free with museum entry. Create your own Roman mosaic workshop on 26th August Museum open daily 10 am – 4 pm. www.trimontium.co.uk

Willie’s Wonky Computer Factory

iSpoof

You may have seen in the news recently that Teejai Fletcher, the mastermind behind the UK’s biggest ever fraud, has been captured and jailed for 13 years and 4 months at Southwark Crown Court. A further 120 arrests have been made so far in the UK, mostly in London.

In December 2020, Fletcher created a website called iSpoof.cc, only available through the Dark Web (don’t ask) and advertised it through an encrypted messaging app called Telegram (favoured by criminals worldwide). The site offered the ability to let criminals appear to be calling you from whatever number they chose - trusted banks, HMRC and any other official bodies they chose. That meant, for example, the number that showed on your phone could be your local bank, or even the number that appears on the back of your bank card. At one point, around 20 people every minute of the day were being contacted by scammers hiding behind false identities obtained through the website (this is called spoofing). The more common banks falsely represented included Barclays, Santander, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, First Direct, Natwest, Nationwide and TSB.

The fraudsters would then try to steal money in several ways. These included requesting their victims' passwords, asking them to transfer money to a safe account, or getting them to hand over other information that could let fraudsters steal their cash. Sometimes they would mention a made-up transaction, which was meant to seem suspicious, to then worry their victims.

Almost 10 million calls were made globally via iSpoof, with about 3.5 million made in the UK. 350,000 of those lasted more than one minute and were to over 200,000 individuals. One victim was scammed out of £3million, while the average amount was £10,000. So far, 4785 people have reported being targeted to Action Fraud.

The fraudsters paid iSpoof on a monthly basis, with services ranging for £1500 to £5,000 each

month. iSpoof netted about £3.5 million in profit whilst the fraudsters are estimated to have made over £50million.

In June 2021, the Metropolitan Police, assisted by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies in Holland and Ukraine, opened an investigation under the name Operation Elaborate. They infiltrated the website, which had 59,000 users and over 70 million rows of data, which also included the phone numbers targeted. The police were also secretly able to listen into phone calls.

In November 2022, the Met contacted 70,000 suspected victims (by text, strangely enough) and built their case. Fletcher was arrested, he appeared at Southwark Crown Court, pled guilty and last month was sentenced to 13 years and 4 months.

The enquiry continues and the police are confident they have sufficient information to identify and arrest many, many more of the fraudsters.

If you think you’ve been called by a scammer, never reveal any personal details and just hang up, no need to be polite. Then check online, or through personal documents, for the company or bank that called, and using the number you found yourself, call them to check if the call was legitimate. Never call the number provided by the caller.

You should also then call the 159 hotline and report the scam to Action Fraud, or visit their website at www.actionfraud.police.uk

If you have been a victim of iSpoof and have not been contacted by the police, Operation Elaborate is still ongoing and you can contact them through www.met.police.uk/elaborate

Remember, pond life evolves, this was a very clever and lucrative scam, and it’s only a matter of time before it starts all over again.

Be on your guard!

Willie

Galashiels & District Probus Club - We provide regular meetings for retired and semi-retired professional and business men and women to enjoy the company of like-minded people who appreciate the camaraderie of being part of the Club. We meet fortnightly from September to May on Thursday mornings at the Waverley Castle Hotel, Melrose and after tea or coffee we enjoy a wide variety of interesting talks by guest speakers. We are always open to welcome new members and if you are interested in joining please ask any member, check www.galashielsprobus.org.uk or phone 01896 850411 for more information.

Galashiels Inner Wheel Club - The club has no meetings in July or August but resumes on the 3rd Tuesday of the month in September. We meet monthly thereafter in Cafe Recharge in Island St Galashiels at 7pm. Ladies from all walks of life are always welcome and for further information on becoming a member please get in touch with Sheila on 07708732320.

Galashiels Camera Club - We meet almost every Wednesday at The Red Room, Langlee Community centre, Galashiels. If you are interested in photography visit our website www.galacameraclub.co.uk Professionals, Enthusiast and beginners are all welcome.

The Three Brethren u3a, Galashiels - Find out about u3a on our website www.u3asites.org.uk/ three-brethren A warm welcome to members and those thinking of joining. There is no monthly meeting in July - we start again in the Autumn.

Borders Philatelic Society - We welcome new members who have an interest in Postal History, Stamps or Postcards at any level from all across the Borders. We are a small friendly club meeting fortnightly on Monday nights, 7.30 until 9pm in the Church Hall, Old Parish & St. Pauls in Scott Crescent Galashiels TD1 3JU. Please contact John Brown on 01721 723759 or Email him at tweedavenue@gmail.com for further information, or just turn up to meet like minded souls! This seasons dates are:- September 11 & 25, October 9 & 23, November 6 & 20, February 5 & 19, March 4 & 18, April 1.

John Lamont MP - Conservative

The Borders economy is strong and we’re fortunate to have so many brilliant businesses and skilled job opportunities on our doorstep. But I am always working hard to try and attract more top-quality jobs and convince more innovative companies to come here.

As your MP, it’s my job to do whatever I can to make the local business environment as positive as possible. That’s why I visit businesses across the Borders on a regular basis - to listen to their concerns and hear what help they need.

I have great admiration for all the enterprises that have managed through the serious challenges of the past few years, from the Covid pandemic to the global cost-of-living crisis, and the increase in energy bills after Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

We’re served by so many superb businesses. I was delighted to join one of them, Quins of Galashiels, at a recent Downing Street reception, which the Prime Minister and Chancellor had organised to honour brilliant small businesses playing key roles in their communities across the UK. After meeting with company owners and workers, I regularly feed in to the UK Treasury and the Chancellor about what local businesses tell me.

I also engage with UK trade ministers so it is as easy as possible for Borders businesses to export. Of course, the UK Government is not solely responsible for the Borders and Scotland’s economy.

The SNP Government hold a lot of the levers in this area, especially when it comes to business support. Unfortunately, I don't believe they are using those powers for the benefit of workers or

FITNESS

with

Alan Clinch

Why Should We Do Vigorous Exercise/Physical Activity?

Every few years the government and the fitness industry update the guidelines on what people should be doing in order to remain healthy throughout their lives – the current recommendations include ‘75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, such as running or a game of singles tennis every week’. So what does this actually mean in practice, and what about if we have other health problems or are ageing?

Vigorous exercise (sometimes called high intensity exercise/vigorous physical activity) requires higher than normal effort, usually resulting in a significantly higher heart rate and more rapid breathing. Exertion is described as hard to extremely hard – this means that you probably won't be able to say more than a few words without pausing for breath. Activities like running and cycling, tennis or badminton are usually classified as vigorous. That said, the difference between moderate and vigorous intensity is always going to be subjective (what is moderate to one person may be vigorous to another). It depends on individual levels of fitness, but for all of us, trying to increase our levels of vigorous activity is a good idea (As long as it’s medically appropriate). Generally, the types of activity that require vigorous effort for most people include: jogging or running, swimming fast, cycling fast (or on hills), racquet sports, football, dancing, or high intensity aerobics. Vigorous exercise could also include activities such as gardening - digging, hoeing, using wheelbarrows or manual lawnmowers, or shovelling snow.

Here are some of the recognised benefits of vigorous activity:

Lower risk of chronic disease: A lack of exercise can increase the chances of developing a chronic disease such as coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, and various types of cancer.

Improved organ health: All exercise, but particularly vigorous workouts, increases blood flow throughout the body. A 2017 review focusing on the link between exercise and Alzheimer's disease found that when people 70 to 80 years old achieved 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week within the last five years, they had a 40% lower chance of developing Alzheimer's compared to sedentary individuals in their age group.

Improved mood: Again, it’s a subject I’ve mentioned before - another study found a significant link between vigorous exercise and fewer depressive symptoms among more than 12,000 participants, while moderate levels of activity and walking had limited impact on depression.

Weight loss: Research demonstrates that vigorous exercise can be an effective means of weight loss (and improved body composition), improving glucose/insulin metabolism, and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness, when compared to moderate levels of activity. Other studies have shown lower blood pressure and blood lipids (cholesterol) in people who exercise vigorously.

Want to know more about physical activity guidelines? Have a look at the NHS Inform website - www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/ keeping-active/getting-started/types-of-exercise It’s particularly important that you should check with your Doctor to ensure it’s safe to increase your activity levels. Although vigorous exercise is recommended, it’s not something to be entered into without guidance from appropriately qualified professionals: so if you haven’t exercised for a while, or have any medical conditions which might cause problems, be cautious. Remember, pain is a sign that something is wrong….

Ingredients

ice-cream sauce

Method

There's nothing better than an ice cream with a drizzle of your favourite sauce. They are really easy to make with surprisingly few ingredients and take no time at all. Be careful though, melted sugar is very hot, so wear oven mitts and long sleeves in case it splatters.

Caramel Sauce

210g white sugar

85g butter (salted or unsalted)

120ml double cream

Caramel Sauce

You need a thick bottom pan to prevent the sugar from burning. Also, use one with quite high sides, as when you add the cream to the hot caramel it will bubble up and you don't want it overflowing.

Assemble all the ingredients so you are ready to go, this is a fast process with no time to go looking for ingredients once you start, or the sugar could burn.

Heat the sugar on a low - medium heat, after a minute or two it will begin to melt, so stir vigorously with a whisk or wooden spoon and reduce the heat slightly so it doesn't burn.

It's important that every last grain of sugar melts, or later it can cause the sauce to crystalise, so use something like a wet pastry brush to clean off the sides of the pan so every last crystal is incorporated and melted.

Butterscotch Sauce

60g butter

180g dark brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

180ml double cream

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, plus more to taste

As soon as all the sugar has melted, it will be an amber colour, then immediately add the butter. Keep stirring over the heat until completely smooth.

Now take the pan off the heat, count to three and add the cream. It will bubble up, so be careful.

Whisk until smooth, let cool for a few minutes then pour into a warm sterilized glass jar. Allow to cool completely and store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

You can warm it slightly in the microwave to make it more pourable for use.

Butterscotch Sauce

Again, have everything measured out and ready to go. Melt the butter over a low - medium heat in a heavy bottomed pot. As it is just about all melted, add the dark brown sugar and stir with a wooden spoon until all the sugar it wet. It will look like wet sand.

Now stir in 1/2 teaspoon of salt and increase the heat to medium. Stir infrequently for 4 - 5 minutes until it looks like molten lava. Make sure you get into the corners and scrape down the sides so everything is melted.

Add all the cream. Lower the heat a little and whisk cream into the mixture. Stir until any hardened lumps dissolve.

Gently simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes, or if you have one, until a sugar thermometer reaches 107 degrees celsius (225F). It will darken slightly, but won't be very thick. Don't worry, it will thicken as it cools. Just don't burn it.

Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla. Dip in a spoon, allow to cool enough to taste, then add up to teaspoon of vanilla and half teaspoon of salt, tasting as you go, until you get the butterscotch taste to your liking.

Pour into a glass jar with lid and this will keep in the fridge for up to one month.

Chocolate Sauce

150g plain chocolate, in small pieces

50ml double cream

2 tbsp golden syrup

knob of butter

pinch of salt

Chocolate Sauce

Put the chocolate and cream into a small, heavy-based pan over a low heat. Stir occasionally, until the chocolate has melted into the cream to make a smooth paste.

Stir in the syrup, followed by the butter and salt, to give a glossy sauce.

Keep warm until ready to serve, or just eat as is. This will keep in a glass jar in your fridge for up to 2 weeeks. (no chance)

businesses. From speaking to Borders entrepreneurs, I know that the SNP's alliance with the Green party has been bad for business. So I will keep pushing the SNP to provide the certainty, stability and support that businesses need to create top-quality jobs and help our economy to thrive.

But I am also always available if any businesses or workers want to discuss issues that I can help to fix. Please get in touch with my office or come to one of my summer surgeries, the details of which are on my website.

Together, with your valuable input, we can ensure that the Borders remains a brilliant place to work, start a business or grow an enterprise.

Christine Grahame MSP - SNP

The Scottish Parliament is currently in recess, that is, there are no debates, no committee meetings and time is taken for a bit of housekeeping on the building. It will however be busy during the Edinburgh Festival with various events on the premises. You can access the events at the Festival of Politics website.

The Parliament was always designed to be people friendly and regularly is used for other events as you know. However, my virtual office continues to work throughout recess though of course response times are reduced as staff take well-earned holiday breaks. Life’s problems: housing, health, money worries of course do not take a break, but it may take us a little longer than usual to respond and indeed when contacting third parties too on your behalf, their staffing levels are similarly reduced so their replies are often delayed.

I am of course continuing to make constituency visits as my time is freed up more. I visited Boots in Gala recently to learn more of the changing services and pressures on pharmacists. During covid you will recall while GPs surgeries were closed, they remained open. There is also a Scottish Government programme called Pharmacy First Scotland. This allows patients to use a registered community pharmacy as the first port of call for treatment. Visitors to Scotland are excluded from accessing the service. However, pharmacists will still be able to provide general help and advice to these patients as well as providing medication by over-the-counter sale. It is a timely reminder of the services available in Scotland but not England through NHS Scotland including no prescription charges. That is currently £9.65 per item there. To have no charges is without doubt the one of the best things we in Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland have done.

Euan Jardine Councillor - Gala & District, Conservative

As you will be aware, King Charles III and Queen Camilla recently visited the Great Tapestry of Scotland. A historic event for the town, and it can be quite simple to think of it as just something that happened, but it was a special moment that will live on in Galashiels history for many years to come. To see the smiles on people's faces when the King and Queen arrived and hear the cheers was a moving moment. Just a few days earlier, we had the braw lads day, and the town's very own version of the King and Queen of Galashiels, the Braw Lad, Cory Paterson and the Braw Lass Emma Spence, were also in fine form and played their role magnificently and also cemented their part in the history of the town.

I am talking about history because I recently visited the Old Gala Club exhibition in the Old Gala House. They have done so well to preserve many items, especially pictures that might seem insignificant at the time of taking them but show a snapshot of Galashiels at a certain time and place. Life moves fast, and it is easy to forget that nothing stays the same forever. That is why the work Old Gala Club volunteers carry out to preserve, restore and collate the memories of

The King and Queen keep Scotland’s stories alive on tenth anniversary visit to The Great Tapestry of Scotland

The Great Tapestry of Scotland, where the people’s story of Scotland begins, has a new royal story to tell after Their Majesties The King and Queen visited the centre in Galashiels on 6 July 2023. During the royal engagement. The Queen added the final stitch to a new panel commemorating the historic occasion.

Their Majesties’ visit to view one of the world’s largest community arts projects in the town of Galashiels, coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Great Tapestry of Scotland’s unveiling. The new panel is the first royal story to be added to the Tapestry since that time.

The King and Queen were welcomed by Mike Gray as Chair of the Tapestry Advisory Board and Centre Director Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, who introduced them to some of the thousand stitchers and wider team responsible for the creation of the Tapestry, including Alexander McCall Smith who conceived the idea, artist Andrew Crummy, stitcher coordinator Dorie Wilkie, fundraiser and tour manager Jan Rutherford and historian Alistair Moffat, alongside representatives for architects Page/Park who designed the centre’s award-winning building.

Speaking after the visit, Sandy said: “It was the greatest honour to introduce The King and Queen to individuals who were instrumental in creating this compelling account of Scotland’s history, heritage and culture and one of the nation’s top-rated visitor experiences right here in Galashiels. This marks a significant moment in the Tapestry’s extraordinary success story.

Alexander McCall Smith added: “It is now ten full years since the completion of The Great Tapestry of Scotland. All who have been involved throughout this period are grateful to His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen, for their visit to see for themselves this remarkable artwork in its new home in Galashiels – in a striking, award-winning gallery that does full justice to the artistry that it houses. When we started this project we had no idea that the result would be so lovely and so affecting, or that so many people would be brought together in friendship. I’m particularly delighted that the many hands that worked together to realise this vision have been recognised by Their Majesties today.”

Now in its permanent home The Great Tapestry of Scotland’s 160 panels tell a visually compelling account of the people’s story of Scotland from millions of years BC to present day. This includes key moments in royal history such as the stories of King Macbeth, St Margaret of Scotland, Mary Queen of Scots and her son James VI of Scotland and I of England, Queen Victoria and her particular love of Scotland, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation.

The attraction which opened in August 2021 received five stars, the highest rating possible in VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance Scheme, following its first-ever quality assurance grading visit. This was described by VisitScotland, Scotland’s national tourism organisation, as ‘an exceptional achievement for a new visitor attraction’. The Centre’s five-star status was retained following their second inspection this year.

As one of the world’s longest tapestries and stitched by over a 100 stitchers led by Dorie Wilkie the Tapestry is one of the best things to visit in Scotland - so come on Galashiels make sure you visit soon!

Photos: Phil Wilkinson

Galashiels is so vital. If you can attend the exhibition in Old Gala House, please do, but also keep an eye out for their Autumn/Winter presentations for wonderful journeys down memory lane.

I will not hold any advice surgeries in August or September as I will be on the annual community conversations tour around the region. I look forward to seeing you there.

Don't hesitate to contact me at the details below if you need assistance. EmailEuan.jardine@scotborders.gov.uk

Telephone – 07811977720

Facebook – @VoteEuanJardine Twitter - @VoteJardine

Fay Sinclair Councillor - Gala & District, SNP

With a new community defibrillator being installed outside the Salmon Inn - funded by the Salmon Inn, Energise Galashiels Trust, Scottish Building Society and TD1 Youth Hub – I took the opportunity to attend a training day to learn how to operate the life-saving device.

Paramedics George Miller and Colin Baxter were excellent tutors in CPR and defibrillator operation. I’m now confident I could use one in an emergency, but hope I never have to.

On the topic of health, last month saw the 75th birthday of our National Health Service. With three active (and sometimes clumsy!) children, my family has made plenty of use of NHS services over the past few years and I couldn’t imagine where we’d be without it.

While of course it isn’t perfect, our NHS is so important and must be kept true to its founding principles of being publicly owned, publicly operated and free at the point of need.

Of course, the workforce is what keeps these vital services operating, and I’m so pleased that we have a Scottish Government that recognises their contribution and has worked to ensure pay awards that mean Scotland is the only part of the UK to have avoided strikes by paramedics, nurses and midwives, and junior doctors.

Despite this, NHS Borders has been under particular pressure recently, with Borders General Hospital operating at capacity.

Brexit has had a huge impact in this area, with a massive decline in EU recruitment and registration since the EU referendum, including a drop of nearly 30% in EU nurses and a halving of the number of EU dentists recruited.

This demonstrates that now more than ever, the only way to protect the NHS from the threat posed by UK Government decisions is to realise independence for Scotland.

Neil Mackinnon Councillor - Gala & District, SGP

At the recent council meeting there were three separate papers brought dealing with poverty across the region. There is a lot of good work being done by various departments across the council to help those most in need and since I’ve become a councillor it has been an eyeopener to see how dedicated the staff involved are and how focussed they are on tackling this pressing issue.

The one striking thing out of all the three papers was a graph of child poverty rates, while it is a point or two lower in the Borders than the national average it was striking that the rate over the last decade has paralleled that of Scotland as a whole almost exactly.

This Month’s Tricky Sudoko

How to play............

Fill the grid so that every row, column and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

That’s all there is to it! Use reasoning and logic to solve the puzzle - there’s no maths or adding up.

Look carefully for what numbers can go where and with a little practice it will get easier!

CHRISTINE GRAHAME MSP

SUMMER SURGERY TOUR 2023

During summer recess (1 July – 3 September) my regular weekly surgeries are suspended Instead I will be visiting many of the smaller towns and villages in my constituency on my Summer Surgery Tour – dates and times below.

Day 1 – Tuesday 22nd August

Time Location

10:00 - 10:20

10:30 - 11:00

11:15 - 11:35

11:45 - 12:00

12:10 - 13:50

14:00 - 14:30

15:00 - 15:30

Oxton - Station Road

Lauder - Marker Place

Earlston - High Street

Newstead - Main Street

Melrose - Centre

Tweedbank - Community Centre

Stow - Townfoot

Day 2 – Wednesday 23rd August

10:00 - 10:20 North Middleton - Village Hall

10:30 - 10:50

11:00 - 11:20

11:40 - 12:00

12:15 - 13:30

13:40 - 14:10

14:20 - 14:40

15:00 - 15:20

Day 3 – Thursday 24th August

Time Location

10:00 - 10:25

10:30 - 10:50

11:00 - 11:50

12:00 - 12:15

12:30 - 12:50

13:00 - 13:30

13:50 - 14:10

14:20 - 14:40

14:45 - 15:00

15:10 - 15:30

Heriot - near Bank Cottage

Fountainhall - Village Hall

Clovenfords - near hotel

Walkerburn - Caberston Café

Innerleithen - Peebles Road

Cardona - Village Hall

Eddleston - Horseshoe Inn

Auchendinny - Glencorse Centre

Howgate - near roundabout

Lamancha - Hub

Romannobridge - Centre

Broughton - Village Hall

Tweedsmuir - Crook Inn

Skirling - Village Green

West Linton - Centre

Carlops - Centre

Silverburn - next to phone box

My regular surgeries in Galashiels, Gorebridge, Peebles, Penicuik and Newtongrange will resume on 4th September. See my website for details.

My office can still be contacted as usual by telephone, email or post using the details below:

Parliamentary Office: M4.02, Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP Tel: 0131 348 5729

Constituency Office: 6 High Street, Galashiels, TD1 1SD

Tel: 0797 659 6245 (Borders residents) Tel: 0781 636 1412 (Midlothian residents)

Email: christine.grahame.msp@parliament.scot

Website: www.christinegrahame.com

The Gala Garden August

When you are basking in late, warm sunshine, it’s hard to think about planning for the excitement of spring but now is the time!

Planting bulbs is not such hard work, although I know places where a pickaxe, and not a trowel, is the tool of choice! Most bulbs get better as time goes by so they are a good investment.

You can plant bulbs in any number of containers and it still won’t break the bank if you have to throw them out in May to make way for summer bedding.

Anyone with a bit of space can plan more longterm. Take your colour cues from the erupting shoots, buds and leaves of deciduous shrubs and trees; for example, rosy apple blossoms, blood red rose thorns and shoots, scarlet peony shoots, dark purple catkins. There will be a shade of tulip to exactly match those tones.

Achieve impact by massing strongly contrasting colours and forms, for example blood red tulips piercing up through a sea of bright blue scilla. Low light suits colour combinations that will be washed out at other times: for example, chartreuse euphorbias, dusky purple hellebores and Tulip Spring Green or T Purple Pride. You can naturalise bulbs in spreading carpets under trees and larger shrubs. The vast narcissi tribe suit this and they can be partnered with all sorts of earlier and smaller bulbs like anemone blanda, crocus, snowdrops or aconitum.

Suppose the shrubs are something like flowering currant and some pink and white rhododendrons: amplify the impact this will make with a pale

narcissus like N White Triumphator, some mauve crocus or leucojums, with a spread of pulmonaria to follow on. Later on you could continue the association with white borage, digitalis and dicentras like Snowflake or Bacchanal for extra colour.

If the predominant colour is yellow, say forsythia and Rhododendron luteum, pick that up with rich yellow daffodils and a wonderful touch of blue. Euphorbia polychroma, Primula vulgaris and Doronicum would make good companion plants to T Yokohama and Fritillaria imperialis maxima lutea.

Blue flowering bulbs are a boon in most situations; they provide contrast and can help separate pinks and yellows. They look even more intense in low light and most, like muscari and scilla, will naturalise easily. Camassia Quamash is a bigger plant but excellent on damp or shady ground. Begin planting with the little bulbs like crocus and scilla. Throw them down in pools and drifts and plant them where they lie. Try to get the narcissus and alliums in by the end of September, or the middle of October if the weather is wet.

Naturalised plantings last longer if bulbs are spaced out because they will increase quite quickly and spacing should avoid over-crowding as long as possible.

You can leave the tulips to last because they should go into cold ground. If you are a bit late then they will be a bit late but try not to plant into frozen ground!

Sheila Drummond

Summer at Abbotsford

Enjoy the summer and experience the magic of Abbotsford with your friends and family!

You can relax by visiting the Mindfulness Garden, having a picnic in the meadow with your loved ones, or by going on a relaxing stroll down the picturesque woodland and riverside paths.

Explore the rich history of the Historic House and Chapel, take in the beautiful views of the Regency-era Walled Gardens in full bloom or get spirited away at the Witch Corner sculpture trail where things are not as they seem!

Feeling peckish? Treat yourself to a scrumptious treat at Ochiltree’s Café, a spooky Witch Corner inspired lunch or a bite and a refreshing drink from the horse box outdoor catering!

More details can be found on our website: scottsabbotsford.com

Open every day, 10am - 5pm Dates & times are subject to change.

Borders Council School Holiday Dates 2023 - 2024

Well, with luck, the kids will be back at school this month and we can get on with our lives in relative peace until at least October. Here are the term times for the coming year; they will let you plan holidays, childminders, days out, days in etc. Watch out for the 2 casual holidays and the ‘In-Service’ days. Then there will be the snow.....

Monday 14th August 2023

Autumn Term

Mid Term Holiday

Autumn Term

Tuesday 15th August 2023

Wednesday 16th August 2023

Friday 6th October 2023

Staff resume, In Service Day

In Service Day

All resume

All break, mid term

Monday 9th October 2023 Start

Friday 13th October 2023 End

Monday 16th October 2023

Tuesday 17th October 2023

Monday 27th November 2023

Tuesday 28th November 2023

Wednesday 29th November 2023

Thursday 21st December 2023

Christmas Holiday

Staff resume, In Service Day

All resume

St Andrew's Day - school closed

Eildon Selkirk & Gala resume

Eildon Earlston resume

All break

Friday 22rd December 2023 Start

Friday 5th January 2024 End

Monday 8th January 2024

Friday 9th February 2024

Winter Term

All resume

Pupils break, mid term

Monday 12th February 2024 Eildon Gala & Earlston Casual Holiday

Eildon Selkirk In Service Day

Monday 19th February 2024

Eildon Selkirk resume

Eildon Gala & Earlston In Service Day

Tuesday 20th February 2024 Eildon Gala & Earlston resume

Thursday 28th March 2024

Easter Holiday Friday 29th March 2024

Friday 12th April 2024

Monday 15th April 2024

Monday 6th May 2024

Summer Term

Tuesday 7th May 2024

Wednesday 8th May 2024

Friday 28th June 2024

All break

All resume

May Day -school closed

Staff resume, In Service Day

All resume

All break - until Wednesday 14th Aug

Each learning community allocates casual holidays for pupils and staff which are usually aligned to their local festivals. Our local schools fall under:

Eildon East Earlston - Tuesday 28th November 2023 and Monday 12th February 2024.

Eildon East Selkirk - Thursday 13th June 2024 and Friday 14th June 2024.

Eildon West Galashiels - Monday 12th February 2024 and Monday 3rd June 2024. Further information relating to schools in the Borders can be found at the Borders Council website: www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20009/schools_and_learning/621/term_holiday_and_closure_dates/2

Do you feel unheard and unseen?

Sometimes we all feel we ’ ve lost our way and need a listening ear or to have somebody to walk beside us on our journey.

Whatever your concern, I will use my experience to provide a safe and confidential environment in a range of situations, such as grief, depression, anxiety, relationships and general personal growth.

I welcome any enquiries to support you at work or at home. Please contact me to talk about your needs.

First session: £10

Online and in-person

Gala Rugby Club

All things Maroon’d

Everyone at Gala Rugby is working hard to bring together our annual Maroon’d @ Gala Festival, we have grown year on year and are excited to this year have the Borders School of Music Main stage, our Food village , with seating for 300-400, and all our sections involved in 7s Rugby as well as some inflatable and amusments to keep the kids entertained all day. This year Maroon’d is happening on Saturday 19th of August starting with the Minis tournamant in the morning moving onto all other sections in the afternoon. Maroon’d@Gala 2023 is proudly sponsored by McGill Mortgages, tickets are avaiable to purchase on our website at www.galarfc.com come along and enjoy what is sure to be a great day.

In additon to the main tournament on the Saturday we are running a high school 7s on the afternoon/ evening of Friday the 18th, some of our food vendors will be open as will the amusement rides, so for a bit of pre event excitement come down to the back pitches of Netherdale on Friday the 18th to enjoy some rugby.

This year we charity partner again with the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust and will be taking donations at the entry point and collections throughout the day. We hope everyone will support this charity along with Gala Rugby and we can get lots of donations for both on the day.

Local painter Robert Black will be at Maroon’d selling some of his fantastic artwork from a tent within the grounds. He has spent years painting beautiful paintings of Galashiels, local wildlife, and scenery. Rob is selling his paintings in aid of Gala Rugby so all proceeds will be coming to the club, we hope Rob has lots of success on the day and can free up some space in his home to paint more pictures.

Our Borders School of Music mainstage tent is running until 11pm this year, with the headline act “The Phat Cats” starting just after 9pm. The music at Maroon’d starts at noon and will be showcasing lots of local home grown talent sourced by the Border School of Music. We are excited to be working with them and hope to grow the music year on year. We are confident Maroon’d will be a fantastic event for everyone in the community to enjoy at an affordable price. We hope to see lots of faces there enjoying everything this festival of sport, music and entertainment has to offer.

We would like to remind all our loyal members and supporters that memberships and renewals for next season are now being welcomed, for more information please email info@galarfc.com

1st

5th August - Peebles 7s (A)

12th August

19th August - Gala 7s (H)

29th August - Kelso(F) (H)

Wanderers

Mini’s training Sundays 10-11am

Vixens training Wednesdays 6.45-7.45pm

U18

Biggar (A)

This brought home to me that, despite tireless work at a local level, poverty is driven by macroeconomic factors, the rising rate of child poverty is a direct result of the disastrous policies enacted by the government in Westminster. Interest rate hikes, the cost of living crisis, job insecurity, food banks, can all be laid at the door of the UK Conservative government. Disastrous policies such as Brexit and Liz Truss’s tax cuts for the rich have brought us to where we are now. It is worth noting that due to policies enacted by the Scottish government to mitigate the worst of the harm caused to lower earners by the UK gov that the child poverty rate in Scotland is four percentage points lower than the 22% seen in England.

Imagine if instead of having to produce policies to firefight the damage done by the tories in Westminster that the Scottish government could develop policies to avoid this kind of harm in the first place, would that not be an independent country worth living in?

Citizens Advice Bureau

Volunteers' Week, in June, is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities. The CAB Service still very much depends on volunteers to deliver advice and support.

It’s now August but this year we were unable to arrange any specific events to celebrate, so would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thanks to each and every volunteer in our CAB and to highlight their achievements in the last financial year.

In 2022-23 we had 6843 contacts from local citizens. Assisted 1923 people and have evidence of over £1,000,000 monetary gain. Our number of experienced advisers reduced drastically during Covid. However, we now have 7 trainees at various stages of our Training Programme. If interested in finding out more about volunteering with us, please get in touch.

Whilst enquiries and issues with the Cost of Living and energy crisis did require a lot of assistance from our advisers, the range of enquiries dealt with remained extensive and very varied. If we don’t have all the answers for you, chances are we will have suggestions on who may be able to help. Summer months and sunshine do make problems fade but we will continue to train, develop and prepare our advisers for the issues which will impact us all over the coming months. Our advice is free, confidential and independent. Central Borders Citizens Advice Bureau. 111 High Street, Galashiels RD1 1RZ.

Call 01896 753889

e-mail: enquiries@centralborders.cab.casonline.org.uk website: www.galashielscab.org.uk

Monday – Thursday 10am – 4pm

MacArts - August 2023

Saturday 5th - Music (Indie) / Callum Beattie / SOLD OUT

Friday 11th - Music (Scots Contemporary) / Mersault + support, 7:30pm doors / 8pm start

Wednesday 16th - Music (Live Opera) / Opera Bohemia / Madama Butterfly, 7pm doors/ 7:30pm start

Saturday 19th - Music (Alt-Pop) / Megan Black + Blackbirds + 8DAYS, 7pm doors / 7:30pm start

Tuesday 22nd - Music (Tribal /Celtic) / Clann An Drumma, 7:30pm doors / 8pm start

Wednesday 23rd - Music (Tribute) / Clearwater Creedence Revival, 7:30pm doors / 8pm start

Thursday 24th - Music (Tribute) / Fleetwood Bac, 7:30pm doors / 8pm start

www.macarts.scot / 01896 756852

The Bikepacking Dad

My name is Jack, aka The Bikepacking Dad. A few years ago before the arrival of my two sons you would find me on my road bike eating up miles of beautiful country road. However, with children came a drastic shift in the free time I had available. Time on the bike became less as the fatherhood role took over - and rightly so! So I needed two things - A way to continue exploring whilst riding my bike, and the occasional break to reset and refresh. The second being a luxury. Then I discovered Bikepacking and set up my website www.thebikepackingdad.com

What is Bikepacking though? Packing your bike up with the items you need (shelter, sleeping bag, food, cycling spares, clothes etc) to ride your bike wherever you want and at the end of the day being able to provide yourself shelter, food, then leaving no trace of your presence when moving on.

It was a win win! I got to ride my bike and enjoy an evening away in nature wherever I chose to set up camp. The sense of adventure whilst being self sufficient on the bike was daunting at first but I soon loved it.

Love cycling? Love camping and adventure? Try Bikepacking! You can find out how to get started, what gear you might need, product reviews, and watch my bikepacking adventures all on my YouTube channel: @thebikepackingdad. Any questions or Bikepacking adventure ideas? Email me at: thebikepackingdad1@gmail.com

Dance with the Romans at Trimontium Museum

When we think about how we learn about history, dance is not the first thing that comes to mind. At Trimontium Museum they like to do things differently and Roman dancing is one of their most recent ways to help us engage with our past. This year alone, this has included local school children designing and making a mosaic, volunteers learning to draw dishes from shards of pottery, and on the family days, a storyteller engaging with young audiences.

Thania M. Flores is Trimontium’s Community Archivist for Creativity and Inclusion and has previously had a career teaching dance. She says ‘Dance is movement, dance is art, dance is a window into the soul of a society’. Thania tells me her favourite piece at Trimontium Museum is a rusty ancient ring that was found at Newstead and is around 2000 years old. The ring shows a woman dancing while playing the pipes. She says ‘when I listen to music, especially ancient sounds, and add movement I can feel transported back to a different place and time.’ Dance is a way of connecting with the past.

Thania is delighted to be able to bring together a weekly group who are learning to dance like the Romans: ‘Roman dance is not something you see often, and at the classes we gather information from the art and literature of the time, then we add a bit of imagination and learn from the dance traditions around the Mediterranean, and spend an hour together learning to dance like

the Romans.’ The classes are held at Trimontium Museum in Melrose, can be signed up for at www.trimontium.co.uk/events/roman-dance-workshops and are held each Wednesday. Why not join Thania and learn to dance like a Roman? It’s a great way to get some exercise, learn a new skill and have fun trying out ancient dance moves.

Contact Trimontium for more information at: thaniamflores@trimontium.co.uk

www.trimontium.co.uk

Rotary Club of Galashiels and District

Join over 1.3 million people worldwide to be part of projects that support communities locally, nationally and internationally.

We are planning our next year of Rotary events including forward planning for the Christmas market and the annual calendar image competition. Also projects specifically supporting the environment. You can see what we do on our FaceBook page Galashiels and District Rotary Club.

Caddonfoot Hall

‘Borders Witch Hunt’

An illustrated talk by Mary W. Craig, author and historian from Stow. Join Mary as she separates fact from fiction and delves deep into the dark past of the Borders’ witch trials.

At Caddonfoot Hall, Clovenfords, on Friday 1st September at 7.30pm, doors open at 7pm.

Entry £5 includes refreshments. For more information email infocaddonfoot@btinternet.com

Gala Opera

After a few months of rest following our successful return to the stage with ‘Grease’ in March, we are now gearing up for the new season and our 2024 production. Before we move on, a huge thank you to the local community who came out and supported us – ‘Grease’ was a complete sell out and we couldn’t have asked for a more successful return to the stage after our 4 year absence. However, we have now left Rydell High behind and are looking to March 2024. Our long standing and very successful production team will be returning – with Jeff Thomson as Producer/ Musical Director and Marie McCullough as Choreographer – and they are already planning our next production.

March 2024 will see us return to one of the most popular, well known and well loved classics of musical theatre – ‘Me and My Girl’. A light hearted, funny, award winning show which we first performed in 2002 and we can’t wait to see what Jeff and Marie have in store for us in our 2024 ‘revival’. Full of comedy, well known musical numbers, a heart-warming story line and some spectacular choreography – it has it all! Our production dates are 4th – 9th March 2024 in the Volunteer Hall Galashiels.

Our first open rehearsal ‘Meet and Greet’ will be on Monday 21st August in the Burgh School, Galashiels from 7pm – 9.30pm. Anyone 14 years or over who is interested in joining us for 6 months of fun is welcome to come along and hear what Jeff and Marie’s plans are for the production. Watch this space and follow our facebook page to keep up to date with what’s happening.

Enjoying Your Walk?

Let's Take It To The Next Level And Head For The Hills

I hope our recent articles have inspired you to get out and enjoy a good walk. It’s amazing how quickly a few walks can put a spring in your step and make you feel more energetic. If you keep at it, you will feel all the benefits and live a much healthier, happy life. There will come a time though, that a walk along the river, round the park, through the local woods or just down town and back, seem to lack something and maybe it’s time to be a little more adventurous.

I’m not saying you have to head for the mountains and bag a few Munros, but walking the hills and wild open spaces offer a very satisfying and rewarding sense of adventure. It is a very different game though from walking round the park and requires considerable preparation, skills, clothing and some equipment. Here are some tips to get you going, and they apply whether just walking wild open spaces, walking hills, or tackling a mountain.

Fitness

Are you fit enough to walk for hours on end? It’s not going to be all flat and it will often be over rough ground. So, if you are used to walking for an hour or so each time, you need to increase that, and take in some hills to build up your stamina. Start slow. Increase your distances locally, don’t avoid the inclines and build up your muscles gradually.

Once you feel capable for walking for a few hours comfortably, pick a hill nearby and give it a try. You might not reach the summit first time, but the hill will still be there next week, so go again. Always accept defeat and turn back if it gets too much, and remember - it might feel a long way to the top, but it’s an equally long way coming back. If you prepare yourself however, you will have a more enjoyable day, rather than struggling and wishing you had never started. Everyone gets out of breath on the way up, so learn to pace yourself and stop for the occasional breather. If not ready for a good climb, there are plenty of walks that are relatively flat, but still pretty wild.

Feel Confident

Don’t go alone until you have some experience. There are courses on hill walking, well worth taking or, the best way is to join a walking/ rambling group, not only will you learn new skills, but you will get to explore new places, gain confidence and meet a great bunch of people who share your interest.

Plan, Plan, Plan

If walking somewhere new, always plan your day. There are lots of guides, either printed, or online for great days out. Read them carefully: how difficult is the terrain, are there paths or do you have to trample over the heather, how much of a climb is there and realistically, how long will it take? To begin with, pick a popular route. It will be easier to follow and there will be other people around you. Just don’t be overly ambitious.

Check the Weather

It is essential that you check the weather forecast for the whole day, both before you go and, if possible whilst you are out, as it can change very quickly. Remember, weather on summits can be very different from down in the valleys, usually a lot colder and windier. The ‘feels like’ temperature gives a good indication

of actual conditions. If the forecast is not looking good, consider a different route, or even give it a miss for another day.

There are detailed forecasts provided by the Mountain Weather Information Servicewww.mwis.org.uk and the Met Officewww.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialistforecasts/mountain Whilst these give a forecast for mountains over 300m, you might come close to, or even exceed that walking the hills.

Keep Safe

You may be out for several hours, so make sure your phone is fully charged and consider taking a power bank just in case. In remote areas,

your phone constantly searches for the best signal and depletes the battery quicker than usual. Most accidents happen later on the walk, often in remote places, or with limited, even no phone signal. If you have an iPhone 14, it allows emergency satellite texting to emergency services. See https://support.apple.com/en-gb/ HT213426 for more details.

Enable ‘location services’ so others can find you. Keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to turn back if it turns against you.

Don’t walk in isolated areas alone until you are well experienced. If with a group make sure you all stay together and let the slowest set the pace. Don’t let the chatter distract you from where you are and keep a look out for marked way posts and signs.

Learn how to Navigate

Mountain Rescue, and other outdoor groups all advise not to rely on your phone. If you lose the signal, let it go flat, get it wet, or even lose it, you can quickly get lost. So, always carry a map, such as an Ordinance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map and a compass. Learn how to use them, either from your walking group, from an online tutorial, or consider taking a day/weekend navigation course (https://nnas.org.uk/).

Keep your phone away from your compass, it can completely disrupt its polarity.

The Essentials

Mountaineering Scotland list essential kit that you should carry with you on the hills during summer (www.mountaineering.scot/activities/ hillwalking/getting-started/essential-kit) :

• Boots (with ankle support and soles which will grip on rock, grass and mud)

• General trekking trousers (not jeans or cotton material)

• Thermal top and Fleece top and a spare layer e.g. fleece top

• Gaiters (not always essential)

• Rucksack - about 35 litres

• Waterproof jacket (with hood) and Waterproof over trousers

Call for Help

If things go wrong, don’t be afraid to call Mountain Rescue, they are there to help you, not judge you.

Before calling, you need to know where you are. Use your phone - OS Locate App (free) or What3Words App https://what3words.com/ products/what3words-app (free), or if no signal use your map to determine a six-figure grid reference. If all else fails, explain your planned walk and try to identify geographical features around you that will help locate your position. Call 999 and ask for the Police, then ask for Mountain Rescue. You will need to tell them where you are and your predicament, ie. the number in your party, the number of casualties, their names and ages, the nature of the injury, illness and your location if you know it, preferably with your six-figure grid reference. Don’t change your position until you have spoken to a member of mountain rescue. If you don’t have enough signal to make a phone call, you may be able to use the emergency SMS service. Text 999 and send. Then type Police followed by the details of what has happened and your location. This service will link your phone to any signal available, not just your own providor.

Most rescues are conducted on foot, so be prepared for a lengthy wait. Listen to the advice given, keep warm and don’t move!

• Warm hat, gloves or mitts

• Compass and Map (waterproof or in waterproof case)

• Watch

• Torch (preferably a head torch)

• Emergency survival bag (polythene is OK)

• Whistle

• First Aid Kit (small)

• Mobile phone

• Food and drink

• Sunhat, sun cream and sunglasses

• Midge repellent and consider a midge net

Start slow, start local and start smart. We have some breathtaking scenery in Scotland, so don’t forget to take photos and have some great days out.

Willie

Rob Black - Local Artist

Exhibition and Sale Maroon’d Event

Local artist Rob Black now 85 is donating his own private collection of his paintings to raise funds for Gala Rugby club.

In his youth Rob tells us he was a forward originally, but then moved to the wing for Gala Wanderers. He has been painting for over 50 years and is a well known and respected local artist. His paintings include landscapes, portraits and many well known events. His personal favourites include pets of many friends and his particular fondness is for Findhorn Bay at sunset.

The paintings have been done over his career, but now Rob wants to see them passed on to locals to enjoy. You can see Rob the artist at the Maroon'd Festival, where his paintings will be on display.

This is a great opportunity to acquire a piece of original local art with all the proceeds going back into the community and Gala Rugby Club.

Galashiels Church of Scotland

Old Parish & St Paul’s building – Scott Crescent TD1 3JU

St John’s building – Hawthorn Road, Langlee TD1 2JZ

Trinity building – High St TD1 1SE

We are a united congregation who want to be God glorifying and Christ exalting in our worship. The Word of God is faithfully preached and therefore we would like to invite everyone to come and listen to God speaking to us through His Word.

Sunday services are in these church buildings:

6th August 11am Old Parish & St Paul’s, 6.30pm St John’s

13th August 11am Trinity, 6.30pm St John’s

20th August 11am Old Parish & St Paul’s, 6.30pm St John’s

27th August 11am Old Parish &St Paul’s to include the wedding of Craig Turner and Esther Githu, 6.30pm St John’s

Girls Brigade

1st Galashiels Girls' Brigade meets on Mondays in St John's Church halls, Langlee.

Explorers P1-P3 6-7pm

Juniors P4-P7 6-7pm

Brigaders S1-S6 7- 8.30pm

Please contact Susan Henderson for more information about joining us: 1stgalagb@gmail.com

Girls Brigade will meet again in September.

Bible Study - House Group meets on Tuesday Mornings.

Guild - meets fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons 2. 15pm. Will meet again from 3rd October

In Old Parish& St Paul’s. All welcome.

GALA LIFE

• Gala Life - The Border’s favourite magazine has been running 14 years. A lot of our advertisers stay with us - because it works and continuously generates lots of business.

• Price - Gala Life is the most cost effective way to reach all the residents and businesses in the Galashiels, Melrose and surrounding areas.

• It is truly local - all advertisers operate in, or close to the area.

• Longevity - It isn’t thrown away like the local newspaper. Everyone keeps it as a point of reference from one month to the next.

• Gala Life is published monthly - around the last weekend of the month.

• It is delivered to over 11,500 homes and businesses every month, with up to an additional 500 made readily available for visitors and tourists to pick up.

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We offer a generous discounts for repeat adverts in blocks of 3, 6 or 12 issues. Please call to discuss the options available.

September Edition 13th August

October Edition 13th September

November Edition 13th October

December Edition 13th November

January Edition 8th December

February Edition 13th January

To advertise in Gala Life, to discuss your requirements, or for more information - please contact Debbie on 07545299491 or info@galalife.co.uk

Coffee Stop - Wednesdays, will meet again in September.

Badminton – Wednesdays 10am-12md Old Parish &St Paul’s Prayer Meeting – Wednesdays at 7pm in St John’s

Choir Rehearsals – Thursdays at 7pm. Begin again on 14th of September in Trinity small hall. Anyone who enjoys singing will be made very welcome. There is no necessity to be able to read music!

Sweaty Church – Saturday12th August for P1-P7 10am-12noon followed by family lunch in Old Parish & St Paul’s. Sport themed activities while exploring faith. Contact Anne for more details or to book – 07796668847.

For further information

Minister: Rev Graeme Glover e-mail: GGlover@churchofscotland.org.uk phone: 01896 209455, website: www.galashielschurchofscotland.org.uk

Bowden & Melrose Parish Church

Minister Rev. Rosemary Frew. 01896 822217 email RFrew@churchofscotland.org.uk Office: 01896 823339 email bowden.melrosepc@btinternet.com

Sunday Worship

We meet for worship at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk and at 11.00am in Melrose Church. The Melrose service is livestreamed, and you can join us on our church website or Facebook page or watch the recording thereafter www.bowdenandmelrosechurch.org

A worship podcast is posted in Facebook, Instagram and our website on Saturday evenings. You can listen on 01896 808551.

Open Door

Come along to our weekly Open Door every Thursday, 10.00am-12noon, when Melrose Church Hall is be open for tea, coffee, company and chat. All welcome.

Bowden & Melrose Parish Church Fete

In aid of Church funds. Saturday 5 August in Bowden Village Hall from 2-4pm. Entrance Including Homemade Teas - £3.00. All very welcome.

Bowden Community Café

This continues to meet on the third Wednesday of each month in Bowden Village Hall at 11amthe next is on 16th August 2023. All are very welcome.

Galashiels Baptist Church

Galashiels Baptist Church would like to share stories about what goes on at our church and introduce you to some of the people who are part of the Church family.

With summer underway and flowers blooming everywhere, this month it is the turn of our gardening team:

Who Are You And What Do You Do?

We are a small group of people who plant and maintain the garden area around the church. Recently we were gifted some planters by two church members to add interest to the area at the front of the church which we have enjoyed planting up.

We were already involved with maintaining the courtyard planters at the rear entrance to the church and we also add floral arrangements inside the church on a weekly basis.

Why Are You Involved?

Flowers remind us of the beautiful world God has given us to live in. We enjoy gardening and seeing the beauty of creation in flowers. It is a way of giving enjoyment to the people who live in the area around the church.

What Is So Special About Gardening?

We find gardening a restful activity which we can share with others while working alongside them planting and caring for the garden. A beautiful garden is a delight to see and gives you a feeling of joy and peace.

We planned the garden at the church mainly to give pleasure to all who stop to look while passing by or coming into the church building. We hope it does that!

If you’d like to join us for our regular weekly service, GBC meets every Sunday at 10:30am in our building on Victoria Street.

Roman Catholic Parish of Our Lady & St Andrew

Galashiels - Our Lady & St Andrew’s, Stirling Street, TD1 1BY

Holy Mass : Sunday 11am, Wednesday 7.30pm, Friday and Saturday 10am, Melrose - St Cuthbert’s, High Cross Avenue, TD6 9SQ

Holy Mass: Sunday 9.15am, Thursday 10am, Selkirk – Our Lady & St Joseph’s, High Street, TD7 4JX

Holy Mass : Saturday (Vigil) 6pm, Monday 10am

Parish Priest : Father Andrew Kingham

Email : parishpriest@galacatholic.org Telephone : 01896 752 328 Facebook : @borderscatholic

Check our website at www.galacatholic.org for our weekly newsletter and for up-to-date information about events.

Caddonfoot Parish Church

The Rev June Johnston, Locum at Caddonfoot Parish Church, has continued to lead services each Sunday at the new early time of 9.30am.

On the fifth Sunday of each month, on a trial basis, there will be a united service with St Mary of Wedale, Stow and Heriot at 10.30 in each congregation on a rotational basis. The next one was due on July 30 at Caddonfoot followed by Heriot on October 29.

The Kirk Session, which was chaired by the Rev Lynn Brady, Interim Moderator, agreed that the move from 9.45am had been a success.

Refreshments, provided by varying members of the congregation, are enjoyed after each service. The Bible continues to be read by members of the congregation with various people reading throughout the summer.

Each Sunday, worshippers have the opportunity to meet and chat after the service with the Rev Johnston before she leaves to preach at Stow or Heriot.

The next Kirk Session meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 31, at 7 p.m. in the church.

Gala Cricket Club

You win some – you lose some!

The club has recently revisited the strategy it prepared back in 2016 and the new document has now been accepted as the blueprint for the next 5/6 years. The strategy is based on 4 pillars, namely, Inclusion, Community, Growth & Legacy.

In terms of inclusion Gala has always been a welcoming club and in recent years has included players from all parts of Scotland, England, Australia, New Zealand and our current vice-captain is from South Africa. There are now several players turning out for our teams from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and India. Indeed, we even have people playing for us from Selkirk & Fountainhall! The club has strong links with the community including through the primary schools, Burgh, St Margarets & Balmoral but continues to struggle to have cricket played at Galashiels Academy. This struggle must continue if cricket in the Borders is to grow.

However, in respect of growth Gala now has several females playing the game at a senior level and, three in particular, Maisie Maciera, Caitlin Ormiston and Charis Scott, have all played (or are still playing) at international level for Scotland.

The pavilion at Meigle Park is over 100 years old and one of the club’s longer-term aims is to provide a new pavilion to serve the club and its surrounding community with facilities fit for another 100 years.

Recent results for the 1st XI have been mixed and one of the most satisfying was on 17th June when, set 229 to win by Edinburgh Accies, Gala had slumped to 137 for 8. Professional Janit Chathuranga was joined at the crease by Robbie Paterson and the two took the score to within 4 runs of the target before Paterson was run out. Undeterred, Chathuranga proceeded to take Gala past the target with 1 wicket to spare. In addition to scoring 103 runs he took 4 wickets for 47 in a man-or-the-match performance. See photo of a triumphant professional.

The 1st XI’s Championship results so far comprise 5 wins (against Morton, Edinburgh, Carlton, Heriots, Edinburgh Accies), 4 losses (Linlithgow, Dunnikier, Edinburgh South & Grange) with 2 abandoned. There are 7 games to play and at the time of writing Gala sit in 5th place in the league.

The 2nd XI have performed well in Division 6, winning 7, losing 2 with 2 abandoned and currently sit in top spot in the league. The aim this year is to gain promotion to Division 5 and to press on upwards as far as they can get.

The Border T20 trophy is played for between the 8 Border teams and at the time of going to print Gala hold a 100% record having defeated St Boswells, Hawick, Manderston and Selkirk. The remaining games will be against Melrose on 12th Peebles on 20th and Kelso on 27th of July.

The junior section continues to thrive having beaten Stew/Mel last month and attached is a photo of the team having defeated St Boswells youngsters recently.

The club’s web site is worth a visit – see www.galacricket.co.uk

Email – galacricketclub@gmail.com Facebook – www.facebook.com/Gala1853

Photo's: Janit Chathuranga after match-winning 103 not out, Gala Foxes U14 team after victory at St Boswells.

Paws up who'd like to save money on your pet's health care?

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A healthy happy pet needs lots of care and attention, including vaccinations, worm, flea and tick treatments, and regular check-ups.

By spreading the cost of essential treatments for your dog, cat or rabbit over 12 months, our Pet Health Plan makes pet care more affordable.

Your pet gets their annual vaccination against dangerous highly infectious diseases, and protection against internal and external parasites.

To keep your pet in peak condition, we provide regular health checks with your vet, as early diagnosis of problems will help your pet to live a long, healthy life.

Plus, benefit from great discounts with other services and products.

THE pet health plan your pet would choose - paws down.

Border Vets

Galashiels Veterinary Surgery

Gala Terrace, Galashiels TD1 3JT

01896 752156

Dogs, Cats and

Your Pet Health Plan includes:

Essential annual vaccination with a full health check

Flea and tick treatments (sufficient for a year) dispensed quarterly

Worm treatments (sufficient for a year) dispensed quarterly

6 monthly health check with your vet

You'll also receive the following (if applicable):

25% off Kennel Cough vaccination

25% off Rabies vaccination

25% off flystrike preventative treatment

50% off Primary vaccination course (initial injections typically given between 2 and 4 weeks apart)

Free nurse clinics (where available)

off routine neutering

off dental procedures

off other parasite treatments

Monthly prices shown, vaccinations included: Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis. Cats: Flu, Enteritis, Leukeamia. Rabbits: Myxomatosis, VHD1, VHD2.

Our Pet Health Plan is the simple and convenient way to look after your pet's health. Our easy and convenient monthly direct debits save you money too.

Visitors and church-goers are reminded to exercise care when walking through the Memorial Garden area.

There’s a reminder to leave any bags for the Food Bank in the vestry. These will be delivered by Miss Frances Pringle.

Please continue to save your disused stamps for Atholl Innes, who saves them for the Eden Valley Hospice at Brampton.

Hope Church Borders

Jesus loves His church and so do we! The word church means different things to different people. We like the original use of the Biblical word ‘ekklesia’ - a gathering of people, called for a special purpose. At Hope we like to see ourselves as a family of God’s people all on a journey with Jesus together, and we look forward to making you feel at home with us.

Sunday Gatherings - On the first Sunday each month we gather in Life Mission Groups locally across the Borders. All other Sundays we meet at 10:30am at Hope Central, Galashiels. Hope Youth, Hope Kids & Hope Babies meet during the gathering

Mid-Week Gatherings - Weekly Hope Prayer meeting - Tuesdays 10.30am online via zoom. Hope Worship & Prayer Nights - 1st Wednesday of the month, 7pm @ Hope Central, Galashiels.

Green Hope Community Drop In - Every Thursday from 10.30am - 3pm for coffee and community @ Green Hope, Plainfields, Newtown St Boswells, TD6 0RY. For more information, please email enquiries@hopechurchborders.org.uk

Hope Central Community Drop In - Every Friday from 1-4pm. Join us for coffee and community @ Hope Central, 1-3 Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, TD1 1DL. Here to listen. Here to care. Here to help! For more information, please email enquiries@hopechurchborders.org.uk

Thrive - Baby & toddler group meeting @ Hope Central, 1-3 Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, TD1 1DL every Wednesday during term time from 10.30am - 12.15pm and 1.15-3pm. Bring a snack for your little one and we’ll provide coffee and cakes for parents and carers. We’d love to see you there. Thrive is registered with Early Years Scotland. For more information, please email enquiries@hopechurchborders.org.uk

Hope Central, 1-3 Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, TD1 1DL www.hopechurchborders.org.uk

Bethel Rock Gateway Church

We are operating as a virtual church at the moment, and have Bible teaching every Tuesday at 7pm. Join us by sending your email address to - douglasrenton@hotmail.co.uk - and we will send you the joining instructions.

There is much teaching about modern life in the Bible. Join us at 7pm on Tuesday as we go through the books John & Revelation.

Pastors Douglas & Kathy Renton

Share Your News

If you would like to be included in our community section then please email us at info@galalife.co.uk Entries should be less than 300 words and arrive by 12th preceding month. Tell us what's going on, and we will tell everyone else!

HOROSCOPES

BY CHRISTINE CHALKLIN

For August 2023

The summer month of August looks like being a rather active period with some good astrological indicators. We have two full moons this month, one on the 1st in Aquarius and the second in Pisces on the 31st. The passionate new moon in the dramatic sign of Leo is on the 16th. Leo is the sign of courage and creativity, this is your time to reach out and be inspired by the abundance of innovative ideas that could come your way. Love planet Venus travels through Leo all month, although she is retrograde you can still enjoy being generous, affectionate and playful by soaking up this positive energy. Communication planet Mercury is busy in practical Virgo, but try to get plans and projects completed before the 24th, when Mercury enters the retrograde period. Mars, planet of action is in Virgo all month, patience and careful planning now will allow brilliant opportunities for new projects to get underway. Although August is usually a holiday month, the two important full moons in freedom loving Aquarius and intuitive Pisces, both offer the prospect to plan ahead and to remind ourselves to be authentic, listen to our inner voice and act accordingly.

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Dynamic Mars, your ruler, remains in industrious Virgo all month, although August is traditionally a holiday month, prepare to focus your attention on practical projects as a completely new way of working comes to your attention. Your creative abilities are at their height as the Leo Sun and Venus suggest positive results.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 21

August is an important month as the radiant Sun and Venus both occupy the fiery and extrovert sign of Leo, suggesting that your creativity is strong and a generous and carefree mood is yours. Abundant Jupiter and maverick planet Uranus are strong in your sign, if you have any radical changes in mind, this is the month to get them up and running.

GEMINI MAY 22 - JUNE 21

As the Sun and Venus pass through the communication sector of your chart during August you’ll be looking at restructuring the way you think and how to expand your horizons. Important opportunities are coming your way and some significant decisions may need to be taken. Try to get your plans in order before Mercury, your ruler, goes into the retrograde phase on the 24th.

CANCER JUNE 22 - JULY 22

During August the Sun and Venus suggest that money making schemes are coming to the forefront, if you use this powerful energy wisely it should leave you feeling successful and prosperous all month. The powerful Leo new moon on the 16th raises your confidence and offers up opportunities for you to profit from your natural diplomatic skills.

LEO JULY 23 - AUGUST 23

This month starts with a challenging full moon in your opposite sign of Aquarius; the opportunity for dramatic change is all around you and some of your previous ideas may need reviewing. Love planet Venus is retrograde in your sign all month, indicating that you need to be flexible in your relationships. Be sure to use your intuition to make any necessary changes.

VIRGO AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 22

August looks like a rather changeable month as Mercury and Mars both occupy your sign and the Sun and retrograde Venus also suggests that it’s time to take a break and tune into your inner needs. A new phase of action begins after the 28th as Mars arrives in Libra, maximising your potential for an ambitious new joint venture.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 23

August continues with the emphasis on friends and social life, just perfect for the holiday season. Love planet Venus in Leo enhances the Sun’s vitality and gives you good insight where communication is concerned. The energy shifts as dynamic Mars arrives in your sign on the 28th, use your intuition to get to the heart of anything that has been bothering you.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22

Venus increases the Sun’s powerful and creative influence during August, suggesting that it’s time to ask yourself two important questions - where do you shine, and what makes you feel really happy and fulfilled? Energy planet Mars arriving in Libra on the 28th highlights your need to find a better balance and take more time out for yourself.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21

August is an important month as positive planetary activity is at its height. Abundant Jupiter and maverick planet Uranus are both in strong placement. Be sure to push yourself forward and make the most of a surge of self-confidence to lift your profile. The Sun and Venus both in Leo, suggesting a new and exciting career opportunity.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20

August brings some important financial issues to your attention; although the Sun and retrograde Venus are in optimistic Leo, facing facts professionally or personally will eventually make life so much easier for you. Dynamic Mars changes sign on the 28th, indicating that it’s good time to be ready to embrace new career opportunities.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 18

Relationships come to the forefront during August as a long term partnership demands your attention. The Sun and Venus are both in fiery Leo, indicating that passion, joy and creativity are more important than ever. The full moon in your sign on the 1st suggests that the opportunity for change is strong this month, but it may be best to keep your options open.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20

Embrace the powerful and fiery Leo new moon on the 16th as trends favour risk taking and forging ahead. Mars and Mercury are busy in practical Virgo, suggesting that you can be confident enough to forge ahead with the creative changes that have been on your mind. The Pisces full moon in your sign on the 31st offers deeper insight into a relationship issue.

Christine is a professional astrologer offering private consultations in astrology, life coaching and Bach flower essences.

NAVIGATE YOUR WAY THROUGH these challenging times, discover your unique birth map and take a refreshing new look at this important year ahead. Find out when positive and productive planetary cycles are working in your favour. Aim to reach your fullest potential in 2023 by booking an astrological reading now - Consultations are available on Zoom, WhatsApp or by telephone.

Christine Chalklin

Inspirational Astrologer and Life Coach

Email: christine_chalklin@hotmail.com Website: www.yourguidinglight.org

Mobile: 07813 483549 Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/restyleyourlife

This Month’s Easy Sudoku

How to play............

Fill the grid so that every row, column and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition. That’s all there is to it! Use reasoning and logic to solve the puzzle - there’s no maths or adding up.

Look carefully for what numbers can go where and with a little practice it will get easier!

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE

Helpful Numbers to Hand

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We are still open for our customers as normal, but practising social distancing